**Green Hydrogen: The National Strategy for a Sustainable Future**
![Impact image: an electrolyzer in action, immersed in nature with wind turbines in the background and a blue sky]
The adoption of green hydrogen and its integration into the national energy strategy represents one of the most fascinating and complex challenges of our time. The National Hydrogen Strategy offers a clear and articulated vision of hydrogen’s potential in the decarbonization process. National estimates indicate a demand that could range between 6 and 12 million tons of oil equivalent (Mtoe). This translates into a required number of electrolyzers estimated to vary from a few gigawatts (GW) to tens of GW, depending on different development scenarios.
### Economic Sustainability and Infrastructure
One of the key aspects of the National Strategy concerns the prospect of lowering hydrogen production costs in the medium and long term. This will be made possible through the development of large-scale production and dedicated infrastructure, which will not only facilitate production but also contribute to making hydrogen more competitive compared to conventional energy sources. Additionally, Italy’s integration into the Southern Hydrogen Corridor project could position the country as a significant European hub for hydrogen, providing substantial benefits in terms of import flows.
This approach is destined to make hydrogen not only a green energy source but also a strategic element in global logistics. The use of hydrogen in gaseous and liquid form for road transport could facilitate its dissemination at the territorial level, breaking down the barriers that currently limit the adoption of this clean resource.
### Green Hydrogen: A Pillar of Decarbonization
The role of green hydrogen proves crucial in the energy transition. The National Strategy emphasizes that, for effective decarbonization, a combination of different energy sources is necessary. Green hydrogen emerges as an indispensable player, to be complemented by an increase in renewable energy production and the implementation of CO2 capture and storage technologies. At the same time, the importance of biofuels, biomethane, and, in some aspects, nuclear energy is considered, thus creating a diversified energy mix.
Diversification is essential given the intermittent nature of renewable sources, such as solar and wind. One of the main objectives of the Strategy is to address this “unpredictability,” allowing for the transport of large amounts of energy over long distances at competitive costs. This requires advanced coordination among the various components of the energy system.
### Opportunities for Hydrogen Development
The National Hydrogen Strategy identifies a series of interesting development opportunities closely linked to heavy, maritime, and aviation transport sectors. For each of these sectors, integrating hydrogen into the energy supply chain can lead to significant sustainability benefits and reductions in carbon emissions. A fundamental aspect of this strategy is the creation of an integrated hydrogen supply chain that encompasses all its components.
With appropriate planning and targeted investments, it is possible to build a robust ecosystem that supports the expansion of hydrogen demand and the growth of the necessary infrastructure to support it.
### Long-Term Prospects
The timeline to consider for the National Hydrogen Strategy is set for 2050, an ambitious but necessary goal if sustainability and energy security objectives are to be achieved. The aim is not only to meet decarbonization deadlines, including the Net Zero target, but also to ensure a secure and diversified energy supply.
